ISP Fostering

Today is our community-wide Staff Appreciation Day 💛 We wanted to take the time to remind our exceptional team just how much we value and appreciate everything they all do for our families, children, young people and each other. We are so proud of each and every one of you, for your dedication and the unfailing commitment demonstrated on a daily basis to help transform the future of our children and young people. You are all outstanding people and, together, make an extraordinary team ❤️ Thank you for everything you do.

We’ve recently spoken to many foster parents who, sadly, feel unsupported by their fostering agency 💔 Fostering is undoubtedly a challenging role, but with the right support, you can focus on what truly matters - providing a safe, loving family environment for the young people who need it most. At ISP, you’ll benefit from extensive local support from a dedicated team, including social workers, fostering advisors, in-house therapists, advisory teachers, and so much more. Download our Transfer Guide today: https://lnkd.in/eUp6jw-w

Fostering is a deeply rewarding yet demanding career that calls for immense empathy and compassion ❤️ At times, you may feel overwhelmed, discouraged, or emotionally drained. If you can relate to these feelings, you could be experiencing compassion fatigue. Discover more about compassion fatigue and practical ways to manage it in our latest blog: https://lnkd.in/e-jMkyU3

We're incredibly proud that Ofsted has rated all our services within ISP as 'Good' or 'Outstanding' 👏 This achievement reflects the dedication and hard work of our staff and foster parents, who work tirelessly to provide safe, loving homes for young people every day.

The heartbreaking words that changed everything for foster parent Mandee 💔 Her young person longed for love but struggled to accept it due to the pain of past experiences with other adults in her life. After years of patience and building trust, Mandee is incredibly proud of the progress they've made together. The love they now share is a testament to the power of perseverance and compassion 👏

Dissociation can often be experienced by young people in care 🧠 It’s a coping mechanism the brain develops to manage overwhelming situations when fight or flight isn’t an option - often arising from repeated exposure to difficult experiences in early childhood. Here are some ways you can support young people during moments of dissociation. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eUQpKrUU

After leaving care, this young person started a family of her own, carrying forward the love and support she received from her foster parent ❤️ This is why we all do the work we do 👏

Empathy rarely starts with “at least” ✨ True empathy means validating your young person’s experiences and emotions, not minimising them 👏

Around 1 in 5 adolescents are likely to experience a mental health problem in any given year - and the numbers are even higher for young people living in care 💔 In our latest article, we’re sharing valuable advice for foster parents on how to support their young person's emotional wellbeing. At ISP, foster parents are not alone in this journey. With regular check-ins from our in-house therapists and extensive mental health training through our City & Guilds Assured Therapeutic Pathway, they have the guidance and resources needed to help the young people in care thrive. Read blog: https://lnkd.in/eD_V45eJ #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek

When a child is living with significant trauma, it can be difficult for them to process and manage their experiences. As a result, they may unconsciously develop a tendency to dissociate as a way of coping. While dissociation can shield us from situations that feel overwhelming, this coping mechanism can become unhelpful - especially when a child is in a safe environment where they no longer need it. In our latest article on the Knowledge Hub, we explore: ✅ What is dissociation? ✅ What are the signs? ✅ Why does my child dissociate? ✅ How you can support your young person Read article: https://lnkd.in/eUQpKrUU